


SUGGESTION S 









TO 



sff JA^mw mm 



mm ®: 



OB 



HOW TO GROW 



AND 



MANAGE CANE. 



j 



Br J. W. PERRY. 



COVINGTON, OHIO. 
Printed ly Oofington, (0.),Prlnting Cumpany. 



1874. 




'9 




SUGGESTIONS 



TO 



#2 A ESSE ^W^WPWL 



'9 



OB 



HOW TO GROW 



AND 



MANAGE CANE. 



By J. TV. PERRY 



COVINGTON, OHIO. 

Printed by Covington, (0.) f PrintiDg Company. 



■iu£ 



1S74. 



Watered according Co Act of Conprexfl in tlia ypnt 1874, By .F. W. PihE7. In tno office of tbe 
Librarian of Congrasi at Washington, 






CONTENTS. 



page 

Tntroduc^Ott^ hlMMn m.,<.wwimMwni« mwm»... ....-, A M m«m M A.VAv 5 

Profits of Cane Culture,....,*.., . 6 

Varieties- ... «... *.......■.*,.. v „ „.... 6 

Where Shall We Plant, : - g 

Time to Plant,..,.,* .% ..... ... ».* ........ w ......... 8 

Preparing the GrountS am 6 

Planting, > -v .v.... 9 

Cultivation...................... , ... ..... 10 

Bar res ting . .,* t v.* 11 

Clean your VeeBeis, 1J 

The Yield 12 

Growing and Saving Seed 13 

Imports of Molasses & Sugar* 14 

Cooctud'ng Reran ks., ...... ........... *..».«»^.v.»..„„..,.v. „ n , V ,15 



SUGGESTIONS 



CANE GROWERS. 



Introduction'. 



I have a three-fold object in view, in offering this little work to my 
friends :^The first is, to comply with a. request often made for a treatise of 
this kind, and to get rid of giving such suggestions as are herein contaiutd, 
at a lime when I am loo busily engaged to do it properly. Secondly, I believe 
that cane growers have need for such a work. And last, but not least ; I 
have a deoire to aid in giving importance to a crop so useful to our wants. 

I believe the people for whom 1 write waut plain instructions; inairuc- 
tions derived from many years' experience in growing and manufacturing 
cane. I have, therefore, written in plain language; leaving it lo others to 
write in classical terms, giving scientific names lo llie many varieties ot cane, 
and the elements contained in the earth, air, &c, which enter into the com- 
position of good cane. 

I believe there is every reason why cane growing should be encouraged, 
while there are none to the contrary. To the close observer, a constant 
increasing demand for sweets, , is sinkingly picnnnent, in our icunliy. 
Every ypar witnesses an increase in the consumption of sugar and syrups. 
This demand is inexorable, and must be supplied, either by the home product,' 
or by that of foreign countries. Southern cane growers ure abandoning the 
business, on account of the enormous tax on machinery, which gives the 
northern canes additional importance. With this demand belore us, and 
with this liberty to clioose between producing sweets at horn?, and supplying 
tile want from our own fieldo, or sending our gold 10 foreign markets lor a 
lower grade of the same, will the farmers long hesitate? Does it require any 
argument to prove that it is acting the part of wisdom to keep our money in 
circulation at home ? But I do not desire to urge any one into the business 







SOJIE SFSGESTIO'NS 



on account of the demand, only ; keeping in mind the fact that the crop is 
actually less exhaustive than corn, there is still another reason to which 
to invite your attention, and that is 

The Profits or Cane Ccltube. 

The present average yield of syrup, in Ohio, is one hundred and thirty- 
five gallons per acre. This sells at sixty cents a gallon, giving $79 per acre for 
the crop. The average of corn is about 35 bushels per acre; which sells at 
44 cents a bushel, giving $15.40 per acre, for this crop. Now, the additional 
cost of cultivating and harvesting the cane is not more than $10, per acre, 
more than corn, while the cost of manufacture at 22 cents per gallon is 
$29.70. This makes the cane cost $39.70 more than the corn, leaving $39 30 
for the former against $15 40 for the latter. If this shows any thing, it shovs 
that cane is more than twice as profitable as corn. I know that an extra corn 
crop may be, and often is, as high ns 75 or 100 bushels, per acre, under favor- 
able circumstances; — the same is true of cane ; I have known it to produce 
200, 240, 260, and even 300 gallons [per acre, when favored as much. Prices 
vary also; — the present season I have h »d no difficulty in disposing of my 
crop at 75 to 85 cents a gallon. 1 have sold at 60 cents, and again at $1, a 
gallon. So, it will be seen that the GO cents is a low price for the cane, while 
44 cents is a very fair average lor corn. Although the larger yields of syrup 
are not always to be expected, yet, you may always rely upon it, that cane is 
more profitable than corn, in the proportion above indicated. It must bo 
borne in mind, however, that, in order to " make it pay well," you will have 
to " work well," being guided by the instructions that follow. 

Varieties. 

Having resolved upon planting a "patch" of cane, the first question that 
perplexes our nuud is, "What kind shall I plant?" After perusing the fol- 
lowing sketch of varieties, the answer will be plainer. 

'' Sybup Cake." — This variety has not so tall a growth as the old sorghum; 
the stalks are smaller (though of good sue, when not planted too thick ;} has 
a tolerably longhead; and, though the head is not compact, the brush lies 
close and is not spreading. When it is " heading out," the head has a red 
appearance, and, at a distance, the cane seems to be ripe, but it should al- 
wuys be allowed to stand three or four weeks, when the chaff will be black 
and glistening, and loose on the seed. The red appearance of the head, 
when just out of the "boot," the "glistening" appearance when ripe, and tho 
loosi ness ot the chaff on the seed, are the points by which we are to distin- 
guish this from other varieties. This is an early variety ; does not fall down 
readily ; and yields largely of the very best candy-flavored syrup. It is de- 
»ervedly popular; with us, the most popular. 



TO CANE GROWERS. y 

Liberian'. — " The Liberian cane has, bo far, been rust-proof, and as 
does not fall down, and yields largely of the very best syrup, it is deservedly 
popular. This variety has red 6eed and a close, compact head, about five 
inches long, shouldered at the bottom, and usually square or a little forked 
at the top of the head. It often yields on good upland, over two hundred 
gallons per acre." I am not personally acquainted with this variety, but, as 
the authority quoted is in every way reliable, 1 think I may safely recom- 
mend it. 

White Imphee. — Seed white or gray; head Bhort (with short brush,) and 
many seeded; stalks not usually long and of good size. This variety stands 
up well and yields abundantly of very good, golden -colored syrup. By many 
this i3 considered the best, as it does not granulate nor "turn to sugar" as 
readily as the syrup cane molasses. This is a late variety and should be 
planted early and on warm land. 

E-engha. — This has a fine, tall, slender, but beautifully proportioned 
stalk; has a large, graceful head, with ieed large and a yellowish hue. It is 
a very sweet cane, and will ripen in from ninety to one hundred days." It is 
very sensitive about harvesting: If it is not cut just in the " nick of time," 
it makes a worthless, mealy syrup; but if cut when the seed at the base of 
the head is in the milky state, the syrup is of the best quality. I can recom- 
mend this cane in every instance in which I can recommend the man who 
plants it. The earliest cane that I have grown. Hence if you are right 
sure that you can harvest it at the proper time, and desire to get the benefit 
of early market prices, try the E-en-gha sparingly. 

"Texas Cane " — The description of the Liberian answers so nearly to the 
characteristics of this variety, that I do not feel certain that they are not 
identical. I shall soon know the difference, however, if there is any. The 
" Tex>\s Cane " is vary solid, and hard to crush at the factory. If it shall 
prove to be the same as the Liberian, I would not recommend you to 
plant much of "either," on account of its hardness. It is very late and 
must be planted very early, on very warm land.* 

The above are only a few of the many varieties annually brought to my 
notice ; but they are such as I can recommend for largeness of yield and 
that, too, of the best syrup. It is not deemed prudent to bewilder the 
reader with a "whole host" of varieties, some of which are good and others 
the very opposite. The four varieties : Syrup Cane, Liberian, White Imphee 
and E-en-gha, — I can recommend in the manner described; and I would 
advise you to plant two or more kinds, or arrange so that, in a given district, 
no single variety will be too generally prevalent. It takes time to work all 
the cane brought to a liberally-patronized factory, and, if the varieties are 
not pretty equally divided, a rush is apt to endanger a part of the crop. 

■'■Subsequent examination has shown me that the Liberian is the same as the 

«' Texas. 1 ' 



g SOME SUGGESTIONS 

The second question to be considered is, 

Where Shall I Plant ? 

Not in some obscure, shaded spot, where the sun can never penetrate; 

Not on the east, north or west side of the woods, because there it will bo 
" out of the way," and will not " cut up" the cornfield ; 

Not on the lower side of the barnyard, where the washings from the 
manure pile will " run right through" the patch ; 

Not where you had potatoes last year; nor where the ground has been 
manured heavily with stable or barnyard manure lately, for in either case, 
your molasses will be 3alty, instead of sweet and sugary ; — 

Not on wet land, unless you want weak, worthless cane ; — 

Not where the weeds were so thick and high, last year, that a horse 
could'nt get through the patch; nor nearer than eighty rods of a broom - 
corn patch — for if you do. it will hybiidize, and make the seed unfit for fu- 
ture planting. 

Nor should you plant where you cannot get at it, to haul it off, without 
a great deal of " fussing" and waiting ; — but 

ysS~ Plant in a clear clean, open spot, where the sun can have a fair chance 
at it ; in a place easy of access, whether it " cuts up" the cornfield or not ; on 
good, dry, warm land of a clayey or sandy texture, well drained and in good 
condition. A clover sod that has been planted to corn the previous year, 
will be decidedly good. 

The season and the soil on which the cane is planted certainly influence 

the quantity and quality of the syrup produced. On a wet season, upland of 

a gravelly subsoil will be best; while low, black, or marshy land will give a 

'. ;ht yield of inferior syrup. Gravelly land on a dry season is not so good as 

lack, low land. To be on the safe side, Belect a spot where the land will 

neither dry out nor overflow, — good dry land. 

If you plant two kinds, make two patches, a considerable distance from 
each other; — otherwise the seed will become impure. 

Time to Plant. 

Don't put off the cane till all the other planting'is done. Cane requires 
early planting, in order that it may escape the early autumn frost. When 
the ground is warm enough to plant corn, be sure and plant your cane If 
you have selected a warm plot of ground for your cane patch, — which you 
should always do, — it is better to plant your cane before the corn is attended 
to. 1 have known cane to do well when planted as late as the middle of 
June, but it oftener "misses" than "hits." So, I say, plant early and on warm 
dry land. 



TO CAKE GROWERS. f > 

Preparing the Ground. 

This should be done in the same manner in which corn ground should 
be prepared: Plow deep and pulverize well. The cane plant is very small and 
tender at first; hence the ground should be well pulverized, in order to aid 
it in starting. It roots deep: hence the necessity for deep plowing. 
Now, when you prepare your ground for planting, (or marking off for plan- 
ting,) don't do it in a careless or exasperated manner; as if cane plan- 
ting were a burden too irksome to be borne, or as if the result would be the 
same, whether careful or careless ; but Lecheerjul ami do it right. 

The process of preparing the soil is nut complete nil the fertilizers 
have been noticed. As before stated, the ammonial or barn-yard and stable 
manures are unfit for cane, until they have been thoroughly rotted and 
mixed with black alluvial, in compost. 1 am "peaking now of applying the 
manures to the ground expressly for this crop. Lime and ashes contain the 
elements necessary to a vigorous, healthy growth of the cane plant ; hence, 
if you make use of any fertilizers) try these. They should be applied t-pa- 
ingly, either in the hill or over the whole ground. Cane does not require a 
ivry rich soil, and will often produce good crops on comparatively poor land. 
It is best, however, to plant on tolerably strong land. It the land has been 
manured moderately with stable manure, three years ago, it will be beneficial 
to the crop. Prepare the ground thoroughly, be it manured or not. 

Now "thrash" the seed from the head, by rubbing between the hands ; 
put it into warm water and save only such for planting as does not float. 
Soak this in warm water; — just warm enough to bear your hand in it without 
burning; — leave it thus for three or four hours, when it will be ready for 



Planting. 

I prefer planting in hills, the same as corn. By planting this way, you 
are enabled to cultivate better than in drills; the stalks mature better, and 
it is easier harvested. I have conversed with as many as a score of growers, 
who plunted in drills last year, (1873,) and they all unite in saying they are 
"down on" drills, forever! "Cane yields more to the bulk by the hill 
system ; does not fall, as readily ; and is not hulf so wearing on one's patience,'' 
is the universal verdict! 

Having maiked oil' the ground, level the dirt, in the crosses, with the foot, 
or a hoe, which will leave a nice hill on which to drop the seed. Put eight 
or ten seed in a hill, and cover with mellow, moist dirt, about three-lourths of 
an inch deep. One cause of failure in cane growing consists in planting too 
thick. Remember this, and see to it that you plant no more than ten (betttr 
have only eight,) seeds in a hill. Always be sure that you plant good seed, 
then you need have no misgivings about its growing. Be careful, and don t 



10 



SOME SUGGESTIONS 



rush through with the work of planting, as if the atmosphere of the cane 
patch were eo vitiated as to endanger your life every minute of your stay 
therein! No: don't do that; but do the work carefully and well, for if you 
are careless here, all your labor afterwards cannot compensate the loss. " A 
stitch in time saves nine." 



Cm.TiVArioN. 

Should it rain and the ground become baked, before the plant is up, it 
will be necessary for you to break the crust on the hills, with some sharp- 
toothed instrument; — as a small rake, made by driving nails through a piece 
of wood, an inch and a quarter square, and six or eight inches long, with a 
handle fastened to it. Neglecting to help the cane through, in this manner, 
leads to very many of the failures to secure a good stand ; nearly every failure is 
traceable to it. Then, be sure and break the crust. 

As soon as the plant is fairly through give the patch a good hoeing 
around the hills. The air and warmth must be let in to the roots, in order 
that it may get a vigorous, early start. Therefore, keep the ground mellow 
and loose, by timely hoeing and stirring with the cultivator and plow, until 
the cane "gets under headway." After it is waist high, it will not do to 
plow near the rows; — close plowing disturbs the roots, which is an injury to 
the crop. In the first and second plowings, aim to loosen up the ground 
several inches deep, being careful not to cover or plow out the hills. After- 
wards use a one-horse triangular cultivator, going twice in a row. After a 
beating rain during the season of cultivation, always be sure and plow as soon 
as the ground is dry enough ; — neglecting to do this, and plowing after the 
ground has dried out. and hardened, is almost fatal to the crop. Ordinarily, 
one plowing in two weeks is often enough; and after harvest, you need not 
plow at all, except to kill weeds. Be active enough to destroy all weeds in 
the start. Two or three hoeings are sufficient, if the land is anything like 
clean. Keep the weeds and grass down, and the ground in good order. I 
thi.nk it better not to throw the dirt up around the hills, as we do with corn ; 
for this prevents, in a measure, the penetration of the air and warmth, 
which, I have said, is so necessary to the vigorous growth and perfect devel- 
opment of the cane plant. That mode of cultivation which docs the work 
thoroughly and leaves the ground level, is best. 

While hoeing the second time, be sure and thin out to six or eight stalks 
in a hill. A greater number of stalks prevent a proper development of tho 
cane. Pull off all " suckers," about harvest time, (July to August.) They 
don't mature; are an injury to the cane; hinder in harvesting; and, also, in 
manufacturing. Keep them off — as nearly all, as you can. They "suck" up 
the elements that ought to enrich the main stalks. 



to cake growkbs. -j -j 

Harvesting. 

Tf you have heeded the foregoing instructions, and have been favored 
with anything like a good season, your cane crop i» worth harvesting in tbe 
most approved manner. When your crop is very large, it may be advisable to 
commence harv<Bting soon after the cane is out of blossom, as a handsome 
syrup can then be obtained; but it will be more d fficult to divest it of the 
cane taste, and the amount of syrup will be less than when the cane is ripe. 
Generally, cut your cane, when the seed at tbe base of the head is in the 
dough state. A few days earlier or later will do, if other farm labor is uncom- 
monly pushing, or it the manufacturer desires you to do so; but the best time, 
is when the seed is in the dough. Don't forget that the Een-gha must be 
cut when tbe lower seed are in the milky state. Make your arrangements 
to attend to your cane in the proper time; — " delays are dangerous." If the 
cane has been blown down ; as soon as it blossoms, harvest it. If blown 
down in the blossom or afterwards, harvest as 60on as you can enter the 
patch. Dont handle cane while it is wet ; the dirt slicks to it and it will not 
'keep," nor will it make good molasses. Cane loses by standing after it is 
ripe. Cut before it is ripe, rather than let it get frosted. If frosted, it should 
be worked up before it has time to sour: frost injures cane. Always strip, top, 
cut, tie into convenient bundles, and hual to the factory ti:e same day. When 
cane is lodged, the labor of stripping and cutting will be greatly facilitated 
by topping first. Cut the tops oft" below the first joint ; or, if the cane is very 
long or rather grepn, top below the second joint In all cases, provide a saw- 
buck, or a similar contrivance, for each cutter to lav his cane on Be careful 
to keep the cane clean. "Down cane " makes a smaller yield, and not so good 
a quality of Byrup, as standing cane. It deteriorates in quantity and quality, 
if not cut on the same day on which it is stripped. Therefore, be diligent; 
heed the instructions herein contained, and you will not be guilty of hauling 
poor cane to the mill and expecting the manufacturer to turn out a band- 
some yield of premium syrup, when your cane is capable only of a common 
yield of common or under-average Byrup. Moreover, I can assure you that 
you will have no occasion for hauling pour cane, provided you give due heed 
to the considerations already adduced. 

One thing more : A cord of cane weighs le3s than a cord of wood. The 
generally received opinion is, that it is a great deal heavier; and, acting on 
this belief, most cane growers haul only very small loads — not more than 
half-a-cord, or three quarters of a cord at most. This is all wrong: a common 
team can haul a cord of cane as readily as a cord of wood, and should be made 
to do it. Some recognize this and act upon it, thus saving time and ex- 
pense in hauling. Weigh an average-sized bundle, multiply the weight by 
the number of bundles on a load, and be convinced. Haul larger loads. 






to some suggestions 

Clean Yodr Vessels, 

Before taking them to the factory to be tilled. No syrup, no difference 
how excellent, can remain so, if put into a dirty cask or barrel. It is not 
sufficient that you scald your barrel two or three times with hot water; this 
only aggravates the matter. Take the head out, after marking it, so you 
can put it back right; wush the barrel thoroughly, thy it as carefully, put the 
head in nicely, and hoop it securely, It don't pay to put molasses into a 
poorly hooped keg or barrel, only to find that enough to buy a good, new 
barrel, has leaked out! Neither is it safe to put molasses into an old barrel 
in ahich molasseS has soured. You have had a great deal of trouble and 
labor to raise and harvest your cane, and il it will pay you to be careful at 
any time, now is the time; for, after all your labor, the syrup will be, in a 
measure, spoiled, unless you are cartful to have it put into a clean, sweet vessel. 

So, you see, cane growing requires care, attention and patience, from the 
first to the last. No one need expect to make a fortune at the business, nor 
even pay expenses, by neglecting the crop. But those who work with a will 
and do it intelligently, need have no fears 00 that score. However, with the 
best care that we are able to bestow upon it, a great variety of " turn-outs" is 
noticed. Viewed in this light, 

The Yield 

Is peeuliatly interesting, as it is the object of the Reason's operations in the 
cane patch. With the present irregularity of cultivation, no fact in cane 
growing is more remarkable than this: That the she of ihe bulk is a very 
poor criterion by which to judge the probable yield of syrup. Even old 
molasses m ikers often find themselves to be very " wild guessers." But close 
observation and a long experiatrcs in evsry deo irtiimi* of cine man- 
agement have shown me that there is a criterion by which we can " make a 
very close guess," everytime: There are certain conditions upon which 
tho yield of syrup depends.; as sure and as unerring as the cotiditons upon 
which a good corn ciop depends. They are these: 

1. Where planted ; 

2. How cultivated; 

3. What kind of a season; 

4. When and how harvested; and 

5. When and how worked. 

The chapter on Planting gives the conditions requisite for our part in the 
starting of a good, heavy crop— such as all desire to have. I have recom- 
mended care and attention in cultivation, because, in order to obtain a large 
yield, yo<i must cultivate well. The season may baffle all your efforts, some- 
times. There are good " cane seasons," as truly as there are good "corn sea- 
sons." Up to the time of " heading out," cane requires the same kind of 
a season as corn; during the month of August, little rain is needed. On 

a 



To cane GaowBus. 



1 " 
la 



Wet season, especially if July and August be wet, cane will be weak (wa- 
tery) — even should the sialUs be large. Cane is mire readily drowned out 
than corn : Heed the adn imtions on, ''Where Shall I Plant?" Ai stated in 
the chapter on Harvesting, cane loses by standing after it is ripe, and after it 
has been stripped; whenever it commences souring, it commences losing. 
Many persons imagine that cane should bo Worked immediately after being cut 
and hauled to the factory, but this is a mistake. Unless frosted or very ripe, 
it is benefitted by lying. The time which cane miy lie Without injury de- 
pends upon the condition in which it is when delivered, and the variety. 
Therefore, don't " hurry up" the manufacturer, and tell him that you are 
''mortally afraid that your cane will spoil," and all that; but be prompt in 
harvesting and hauling it, and, if he is alive to his own interests, he will do 
the best he can for you. 



Growing and Saving Seed. 

" Tt is a law of physical nature, as universally applicable to the Vegetable 
as to the animal kingdom, that 'like produces like.' The recognition of this 
law is not merely theoretical or speculative; it is of universal acceptance, and 
its existence has been attested by long experience and the most critical ob- 
servation. The judicious stock raiser gives his testimony to his belief in its 
existence, when he consents to pay fabulous prices for what he denominates 
'pure blood,' whether it be of horses, cattle, sheep, or swine." * * * ■» 
" Reverting to the premise laid down in the beginning, we re-assert that the 
physical law, previously announced, is as applicable to the Vegetable as to the 
animal kindgdom. If this be true, how very important is it that the agricul- 
turist, upon whom exclusively the population of the earth is dependent for 
an adequate supply of food and raiment, should give the utmost care and 
a'.tention to a judicious selection of seeds from which his crops are to bo 
realized." * * * * " Recognizing the fact that as in the animal 
so in the vegetable kingdom, to preserve seed from degeneration, and to keep 
it up to its original standard of excellence, it will he necessary to give to the 
parent stock an ample supply of nutricious food, so as to keep it in good con- 
dition and to impart to it that healthful vigor so essential to successful pro- 
pagation." 

The foregoing quotations are taken from the Agricultural Report, for 
November, 1873. To give all the sensible things said in that Report, on this 
subject, would extend this article beyond proper limits. But the closing 
paragraph quoted recommends the establishment of a "seed patch" on every 
farm; that it be made a permanent institution: and that it be made very 
fertile, so as to impart great vitality to all seeds therein raised. Speaking 
particularly of cane. I think it would be better to plant a few hills in a sunny 
corner of the garden, give them the best care in your power, and leave them 



24 80ME SUGGESTIONS 

to stand till the seed is thoroughly ripe, irrespective of manufacturing. Let 
them stand till dead ripe; the stalk* will be excellent bog feed. Now, that 
you have grown a patch expressly for seed, put the seed away in a good dry 
place, being careful not to hava it in a bunch; it needs ample ventilation. 
Good seed is the first requisite to a good crop. 



Quantity of Molasses and Sugar Annually Consumed in the United State9. 

To give the readers of this little work some idea of the quantity of Mo- 
lasses and .Sugar yearly consumed in our country, I give the following ex- 
tracts, which are taken from the " Agricultural Report of 1852." " The new 
product of Sorghum cane has established itself as one of the permanent crops 
of the country. The introduction of the Chinese and African canes was at a 
dost auspicious period, for it enabled the interior States to supply themselves 
with a home article of molasses, thereby keeping down the prices of other 
molasses from any great advance over former rates, which otherwise would 
have been a result of the war. The L>uiaianv cane mol.tsses in 1830 was 16,- 
813,903 gallons, and the sorghum 7,176,0i2 gallons. The increase of the first 
was but 4,277,197 gallons over the product of 1851), clearing showing that it 
was incapable of supplying the rapidly increasing consumption of molasses. 
The amount of sorghum molasses was doubled in 1862 ; a.id from reports re- 
ceived at this Department, the crop of 1S63 will be at least 23 per cent, 
greater than that of 1862 " " But the extent of this crop will be governed 
very much by the success of the northern cane as a sugar making plant. Ev- 
ry thing is favorable to that success, as will be seen from the report of the 
chemist of this Department as well as from the numerous specmens of sor- 
chum susar forwarded to it." 

" Nor is there any nation so much needing a sugar-making plant that 
may be generally grown, as the United States. This will be seen from the 
following statistics of the amount of molases and sugar consumed in it : 

Imports or Molasses and Sugar. 

T-nrs MntaBM<?» (kMs.) SuRftr (lbs.) 

1856, 23,017,674 54o. , J62.754 

1857, 32.7U5.844 777,063,185 

1858, 24.5611. 357 6 IH, 240,945 

1859, 32,818,146 655,868,415 

1860, 30,922,633 694,879,785 

1861, 29,911,397 807,938,946 

The domestic molasses and sugar from the Louisiana c»ne are about 16,000,- 
000 gallons of the former, and about 300,000,000 lbs, of the latter, making 
the annual consumption about forty-five million gallons of molasses, and about 
one billion pounds of sugar. This amount is almost incredible. Comparing 



TO CANE GHOWB BS. 



15 



the sugar of the first three years, in the above table, with that of the last 
three, we find the increase has been eighteen per cent. The ratio of popu- 
lation and the increase of the consumption of sugar are as follows : 

Tears, PopuUtioD, Sugar, 

1840 to 1845, 16 percent. 60 per cent. 

1845 to 1850, 16 per cent. 34 percent. 

1850 to 1855, 16 per cent. 100 per cent. 

1855 to 1860, 15 per cent. 43 per ce:.t. 

Total 63 per cent. 227 per cent. 

"These statistics show the great inducements that exist to stimulate the 
farmer and the sugar-refiner to continued exertion for the complete success 
of the northern cane." 

E-itimating the molasses at 30 cts. per gallon, and the sugar at 7 cts. per 
pound, we are annually sending abroad from sixty to seventy million dollars 
in gold for sweets that we ought to produce from our own fields and factories. 
In fact we have ample reason for believing the imports of sweets to be much 
greater now than in 1862 ; for the Louisiana cane-growers have been gradually 
abandoning the business, and the maple forests are being destroyed by 
•torms, the ax, and by continued "tapping." So that, when we take into 
consideration the fact that the consumption of sweets is annually increasing 
among us, we feel assured that we are now sending nearly one hundred mil- 
lion dollars, each year, in gold, to foreign countries for sweets. But the 
reader will ask : — " Can firsl-clasi sugar be made from the northern canes t" — My 
experience convinces me that the day is not fur distant when the canes we now 
grow in our own fields will be recognized as "sugar canes," as fully a-> those 
of Louisiana. Indeed, the conditions necessary to produce granulation are 
generally known among practical manufacturers, and the process of refining 
has proved a success. The cost of machinery and labor, only, prevents the 
realization of our desires to make the canes of our latitude pay as sngai -ma 
king plants. One condition, however, must not be overlooked, namely : That 
a perfectly-developed cane is the first essential to success, in sugar ma- 
king. It behoves us, then, to study the characteristics of cane; to ascer- 
tain, by the closest observation, what conditions are necessary to give it the 
highest shade of development. To stimulate others in this work, is the ob- 
ject of these pages. Header, will you do your part in this important work ? 



Concluding Remarks. 

In the preceding pages, I have frequently recommended care: — This is 
essential to success in every avocation of life. Without it, the smith would 



16 



SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CANE GROWERS. 



burn his iron, the tailor spoil his clothes, the lawyer lose his client, and the 
merchant become bankrupt. Without it, the farmers are annually losing 
thousands of dollars, without knowing it. I have seen the ill effects of care- 
lessness so often, that I have thought proper to keep the idea constantly he- 
re the reader, that carefulness is the first essekiul to eccceSs. K<<p 
your eyes and ears open, and your hands in readiness to do their part ol the 
work. 

I have not attempted to discuss the whole subject of cane management; — 
to investigate every point that may have a bearing on cane culture; — for that 
was not my intention. Many other points might have been considered, but 
I have not thought prudent to weary myself and the reader with any such 
disquisition. In the mean time, I shall not discontinue my investigations on 
the subject; and if it shall be my good fortune to discover facts of such an 
important nature as to demand publication, the necessary publicity will 
be cheerfully given. 



T havp mrertilly rompared the above figurei, with those of tho ofliciM documents, and found 
fhoui correct. Attest, S. \V. ELY, Printer. 



TtiG BND. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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